Professional skills

These courses are available free of charge to Institute members.

You will need your MyIOP username and password to access them. Visit the Membership section if you wish to become a Member.

Advanced Negotiation CourseThe ability to negotiate effectively in any situation is a skill that can be learnt like any other. Advanced Negotiation enables learners to hone and improve their negotiation techniques and strategies. Learners will be able to plan for complex negotiations, ensuring that the outcome of any negotiation undertaken is successful, and they will learn how to handle difficult situations as they arise.Course profile (PDF, 46 KB)

Finance for non-Financial ManagersProfessionals that understand the bottom line are at a significant advantage over those that don't. Knowing how finance works can help employees to put decisions into a broader context, to identify the financial implications of their actions.Course profile (PDF, 32 KB)

Financial Management in Turbulent TimesMany of the techniques that underpin financial management were developed in conditions of stability. Yet the last ten years have been marked by increasing and unprecedented turbulence. This new Peer-enriched learning course focuses on the dynamics of financial management. Learners will be prompted to think through how the volatility which characterises today’s business environment has affected their particular enterprise, and how they are, or might be, responding.Course profile (PDF, 41 KB)

Manager's Starter PACThe Manager's Starter PAC is a practical self-development tool for managers. The PAC defines 3 key outputs of management: high Productivity, strong Alignment with organizational goals and a supportive and positive Culture that enables the team to prosper.

Managing Through a RecessionThis course will enable you to think through your approach to managing a business through a recession, whether you are concerned about your own business or wanting to support your clients going through difficult times.Course profile (PDF, 36 KB)

Negotiation SkillsBeing able to negotiate effectively will benefit you both in and outside of the workplace. This course will help you to learn some practical negotiation techniques and strategies, and to plan your negotiations to give you the greatest chance of success. Covering the principles, the preparation and the practice of negotiating skills the course combines theory with practical activities and scenarios to help you put what you learn into practice.Course profile (PDF, 48 KB)

Networking SkillsThis course focuses on professional networking. It will help you to develop techniques and skills to enable you to create and maintain networks and build strong relationships that enable you to be a success in your role.Course profile (PDF, 38 KB)

Professionalism and EthicsEthics and corporate social responsibility have never been so high on the organisational agenda. Yet recognising ethical issues and taking appropriate and effective decisions isn’t easy. Spanning both home and personal worlds, and never black and white, the management of ethical dilemmas is a challenging situation for all professionals. This course helps the learner discover the challenges and rewards of behaving ethically in the workplace, consider their own moral values and explore perspectives that will challenge their views.Course profile (PDF, 33 KB)

Project ManagementBalancing important short term tasks with the completion of critical but longer term project based work is a key challenge for every professional.This course will give you the skills and techniques to be able to handle a project successfully.Course profile (PDF, 33 KB)

Social Media for ProfessionalsSocial media is a powerful tool for supporting your professional activities. It can help you build networks, enhance organisational processes and work practices and boost your personal career development. If you’ve ever wanted to exploit the power of social media but didn’t know where to start, this course is for you.Course profile (PDF, 38 KB)

Thinking StrategicallyThis course will show you why strategy is important and how to think strategically within their your organisation. You will discover some of the key strategic theories, learn how organisations develop and implement strategy, and try out the key tools.Course profile (PDF, 30 KB)